Insulation stripping device adapted for use with terminal attaching machine

ABSTRACT

A device for stripping a selected length of insulation from a conductor which device is adapted for use with a machine for attaching terminals to the conductor. A pair of camming elements, such as inclined planes, are mounted for movement with a terminal applying member. As the member moves toward a terminal applying position, a first of the inclined planes is operative to actuate an insulation cutting means and a conductor gripping means. Further movement of the terminal applying member moves the second inclined plane into a position to transfer the gripping means away from the cutting means, effectively stripping the severed insulation from the conductor and positioning the bare end of the conductor to be attached to a terminal by the terminal applying member. On the return cycle of the terminal applying member, a pneumatic mechanism is actuated to release the severed piece of insulation and to remove the insulation from the mechanism.

[ Aug. 21, 1973 United States Patent [191 Blakeney et al.

[ INSULATION STRIPPING DEVICE Primary Examiner-Thomas H. EagerArtorneyFrederick M. Arbuckle ADAPTED FOR USE WITH TERMINAL ATTACHINGMACHINE [75] Inventors: Hurley J. Blakeney, Gilbertsvill ABSTRACTlh'larold V. Lowe, Kirkwood; Gunther w. one, Deposit, a of NY A devicefor stripping a selected length of insulation from a conductor WhlChdevice is adapted for use with hing terminals to the conductor. Aements, such as inclined planes, are ment with a terminal applying memermoves toward a terminal applying position, a first of the inclinedplanes is operative to actuate an insulation cutting means and aconductor l aee t v mm om r mm mmr mmm .mw eS womA TU. m.l r. a e aPmb ka O n 0 m. w r 0 C 0 l 7 m m ,7 1 w. not "re BBD e n 8 d m 8 s H A F N U7 2 .l l.

[21] Appl. No.: 209,226

ppp yping means. Further movement of the terminal ing member moves thesecond inclined plane into a position to transfer the gripping meansaway from the cutting means, effectively stripping the severedinsulation from the conductor a nd positioning the bare end of the chedto a terminal by the terminal On the return cycle of the terminal apneumatic mechanism is actuated DM M M339 2 NU w. ,8 z D flmus wa "9 ZTUWW NW3 N nO mmm mMm mmmm mm m2 Hr-w mmw2 m, In C s n UIF 11]] 2 8 555[ll a n., mm mm wee mm t .m.m mwrw nD-D. Opp Caa S T N m A P CS E E nTNS D E W N U M 5 piece of insulation and to remove m .B n a h C e m 6wow r m r m mm t mm au hm .1 6 Oh tt 29/203 DX 29/335 Folkenroth 81/9 513,363,309 1/1968 Logan et al. 2,774,! 30 12/1956 Folkenroth 3,084,5744/1963 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures WWW a Patented Aug. 21,1973

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 21, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill M lli?""MWM mulnumh INSULATION STRIPPING DEVICE ADAPTER FOR USE WITH ATTACHINGMACHINE determined length of insulation from the end of an insulatedconductor and more particularly to an insulation stripping deviceadapted for use with a machine for securing a terminal to the conductor.

BACKGROUND Machines have for many years been available for securing aterminal or connector to the prestripped end of an insulated electricalconductor. In most instances the machine secures the terminal to theconductor by crimping, although other techniques such as spot weldingand soldering are also utilized.

One problem with these machines is the requirement that the conductor beprestripped. This operation is normally performed either by a separatemachine or by hand. Further, where a stranded conductor is utilized, theconductor tends to fray after stripping, and a rewinding operation,again either in a separate machine or by hand, is required before aterminal can be attached to the conductor. Terminal attaching withexisting machines thus involves two or three separate operations. It istherefore apparent that if the stripping and terminal attachingoperations could be performed by a single machine in a single operation,a significant saving in time, labor, and equipment could be obtained.

In recognition of the above, some combination stripping and crimpingmachines have been developed. These machines have, however, requiredrelatively complex linkages between the crimping mechanism such as, forexample, the crimping ram, and the mechanism utilized for stripping.These complex linkages have increased the cost of manufacturing thesemachines and have made them somewhat difficult to adjust and maintain.More significantly, the complex linkages between the crimping andstripping portions of the machine have made it virtually impossible toadd the stripping feature to an existing crimping machine in the field.Owners of existing crimping machines are thus faced with a choice ofeither the present inefficient multi-step mode of operation or ofpurchasing a completely new machine. A need therefore exists for arelatively simple insulation stripping device which may be easily fittedto existing crimping or similar terminal attaching machines. In order toachieve the required simplicity in the stripping operation and in thefitting of the device to existing terminal applying machines the deviceshould preferably require no direct linkage to the machine motor orother prime mover, being operated instead from the movement of the ramor other moving terminal applying member of the machine. To achieveoptimum versatility, the device should also be adjustable to accommodatevarious gages of conductor and strip varying lengths of insulation fromthe conductor.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide aninsulation stripping attachment suitable for use with a machine forcrimping or otherwise attaching terminals to insulated conductors.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a crimpingattachment of the type indicated above which is relatively simple andinexpensive to make, adjust, and maintain.

A still more specific object of this invention is to provide a strippingattachment of the type indicated above which may be easily titted toexisting terminal attaching machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stripping attachment ofthe type indicated above which may be easily and accurately adjusted tooperate with various different gages of conductor and to strip differentlengths of insulation.

A feature of this invention is the use of the existing mechanism fordriving a terminal applying member to operate the insulation strippingdevice.

SUMMARY In accordance with these objects and features this inventionprovides a device for stripping a selected length of insulation from aconductor which device is adapted for use with a machine for attachingterminals to the conductor. The machine has a base on which theterminals are supported and a terminal applying member which iscyclically moved relative to the base. The device includes a cuttingmeans which is positioned on one side of the base that includes at leasttwo blades, and a gripping means which is positioned on the oppsoiteside of the base. The gripping means has at least two normally spacedsurfaces. A first and a second cam means are attached to move with theterminal applying member. Follower means are provided which areoperative when the member reaches a position prior to that at whichterminal attaching occurs and are responsive to the first cam means foractuating the cutting means, moving the blades together to cut theinsulation between them, and to actuate the gripping means. A means isalso provided which is operative after said cutting and gripping meanshave been actuated, and is responsive to the second cam means to movethe gripper means away from the cutting means to remove the severedinsulation from the end of the conductor and position the bare and ofthe conductor to be attached to the terminal by the terminal applyingmember. A means is also provided to free the severed insulation and toremove it from the machine.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. l is a partially exploded, partiallycut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the insulationcutting device of this invention positioned on a terminal crimpingmachine.

FIG. 2 is a sectional top view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 at thepoint in the operation where cutting of the insulation has occurred butthe conductor has not been moved from the cutting position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanism at the same point in theoperation as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cut away side view of a portion of the mechanism at the samepoint in the operation as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a cut away side view of the portion of the mechanism shown inFIG. 4; at the point in the operation where crimping occurs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While as has been indicated above, the device ofthis invention may be utilized with a machine for applying terminals toa conductor in a variety of different ways, terminals are mostfrequently applied to a conductor by a crimping machine. The descriptionof a preferred embodiment of the invention is therefore with referenceto a crimping machine.

Referring now to the figures, and in particular FIG. 1, it is seen thatthe device of this invention is formed of three separate subassemblies,an inclined plane or camming subassembly 10, a cutting subassembly 12,and a gripping subassembly 14. The camming-subassembly consists of afirst inclined plane 16 which is mounted by screws 18 on the piston orram 20 of an automatic terminal crimping machine, and a second inclinedplane 22 which is secured by screws 24 to inclined plane 16. Screws 18pass through slots 26 in inclined plane 16. Planes 16 and 22 may thus bemoved forward and back relative to ram 20 when screws 18 are loosened.Vernier scale 28 is utilized to indicate and control the positioning ofthe planes. The reason for controlling the positioning of the planeswillbe described shortly;

Cutting assembly 12 includes a hollow housing 30 which is sealed at oneend by an end plate 32. A first blade 34 is secured by screw 36 to anadjustable blade holder 38. Blade holder 38 may be moved horizontally byrotating head 40. Head 40 is attached to a screw which passes throughplate 32 and attaches to holder 38. Holder 38 is moved to position blade34 for the cutting of insulation on various gauges of conductor. Vernierscale 42 indicates the gauge wire which the head is set for any giventime. Except for the adjustment indicated above to compensate forvarious gauges of conductor, blade 34 remains stationary.

Assembly 12 also includes a second blade 44 which is secured to a camfollower 46 by a screw 48. A spring 50 attached at one end to a dowel'52on follower 46 and at the other end to a plate 54 attached to housing 30by a screw 56 normally maintains follower 46 in the position shown inFIG. 1. In this position, the blades 34 and 44 are separated from eachother.

The amount of insulation stripped from the conductor is controlled bythe positioning of adjustable and retractable stop 58. Stop 58 ismounted on one end of shaft 60. Shaft 60 passes out to the rear ofhousing 30 and is screwed into fitting 61. Fitting 61 is secured to anextended, spring return, pneumatic cylinder 63. Cylinder 63 is supportedby post 65 which is mounted on base 74. A set screw 62 may be loosenedto permit the rotation of shaft 60, thus permitting the position of stop58 to be manually adjusted. A scale 64 scribed on shaft 60 indicates thelength of insulation being stripped for each position of the shaft andstop.

The final element of cutting assembly 12 is air hose 66 which terminatesin a T-connection 67. One output from the T-connection leads to a nozzle68 facing the opening in housing 30 behind blades 34 and 44. The centeroutput from T-connection 67 leads to pneumatic cylinder 63. As will beseen later, a blast of air applied to hose 66 at a suitable point in theoperating cycle of the device is utilized to retract the pneumaticcylinder, and thus stop 58, freeing the stripped insulation and toremove the stripped insulation from the machine. Housing 30 is mountedby screws 70 and posts 72 on base 74 of the crimping machine.

Gripping assembly 14 of the device includes a fulcrum block 76 which issecured by screws 78 to base 74 of the crimping machine. A slotted T-bar80 is hinged to fulcrum block 76 by dowels 82. Bar is normallymaintained in the position shown in FIG. 1 by a spring 84 secured at oneend to T-bar 80 by screw 86 and at the other end to base 74 by a screw(not shown). T-bar 80 has mounted therein a pair of gripping heads 88and 90. Head 88 is attached to an adjusting screw 92. Head 88 ispositioned manually by screw 92 depending on the gauge conductor beingutilized. A scale such as scale 42 (not shown) is provided to controlthe positioning of head 88. Head is connected to a cam follower 94 whichis normally biased to the position shown in FIG. 1 by spring 96. Spring96 is mounted in much the same way as spring 50. Follower 94 and head 90are adapted to be moved horizontally against the action of spring 96 togrip a wire position between heads 88 and 90. Heads 88 and 90 and theelements attached thereto are held in T-bar 80 by plates 98 and 100respectively. Plate 98 is secured to T-bar 80 by screws 102 and plate100 is secured to the T-bar by screws 104.

In addition to the elements already mentioned, the crimping machineincludes a crimping die 106 attached to ram 20 and an anvil or die 108attached to base 74. Terminals 110 having open barrels 112 are fed fromthe side to a crimping position at anvil 108. The details of the crimperhardware and of its operation do not form part of the present inventionand will be described in the following only to the extent necessary tounderstand the operation of the stripping device.

OPERATION In operation, the machine is initially in substantially theposition shown in FIG. 1 with ram 20 in a raised position, follower 46extended permitting blades 34 and 44 to be separated, follower 94extended permitting gripper heads 88 and 90 to be separated from eachother, and T-bar 80 in a substantially vertial position. The machineremains in the condition shown in FIG. 1 until a conductor to whichaterminal 110 is to be attached is inserted between heads 88 and 90 andblades 34 and 44. As may be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the conductor isinserted until its leading edge makes contact with stop 58. Stop 58 maycontain a microswitch which activates the crimpingmachine in a standardmanner when the wire bears against it, or a foot pedal or other operatorcontrol device may be provided to cause a cycle of the machine to beinitiated when the conductor has been properly positioned.

When a cycle of the machine is initiated, ram 20 starts to move downtoward base 74. The exact mechanism utilized for driving ram 20 does notform part of the present invention and any one of a variety of standardelectrical or electrically controlled drive mechanisms may be employed.

As ram 20 moves down, the inclined leading edge 122 of inclined plane 16makes contact with followers 46 and 94. As ram 20 continues to movedown, followers 46 and 94 are cammed in (toward the left as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 2). When ram 20 and plane 16 have reached the position shownin FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, followers 46 and 94 are in a retracted positioncausing blade 44 to come into close proximity with blade 34 to cut theinsulation on conductor 120 and causing head 90 to come into closeproximity with head 88 to grip the insulated conductor there between.

As ram 20 continues to move downward, inclined surface 124 of inclinedplane 22 comes into contact with the portion of follower 94 stillextending beyond T-bar 80. Surface 124 acts on follower 94 as ram 20continues to move down to pivot T-bar 80 counterclockwise as viewed inthe figures on dowels 82. Since conductor 120 is being firmly held bygripper heads 88 and 90, the counter-clockwise rotation of T-bar 80causes the conductor to be pulled out from between blades 34 and 44. Asthe conductor is pulled out, the portion of the conductor insulationbehind the cut made by the blades is removed from the conductor. Plane16 is positioned on ram 20 by use of ve rnier 28 so that plane 22 iseffective to completely remove the conductor from between the cuttingblades and to position the bare end of the conductor over open barrel 112 of the terminal on crimping anvil or die 108 at the exact instantthat die 106' is lowered to a position in contact with the conductor.The bifurcated leading edge of die 106 is then effective to force theconductor into open barrel 112 of the terminal and to then crimp theterminal around the conductor.

When the crimping operation has been completed, the crimping mechanismis effective to raise ram 20. As the ram raising operation is begun, asuitable mechanism is provided for opening a valve (not shown) to causea blast of compressed air to be applied through hose 66 and T-connection67 to pneumatic cylinder 63. This caused the cylinder, with shaft 60 andstop 58 attached thereto, to be moved backward. The backward movement ofstop 58 frees the removed insulation which was being held between stop58 and blades 34, 44, permitting the blast of air applied through T-connection 67 to nozzle 58 to blow the stripped piece of insulation fromthe mechanism. As ram 20 returns to the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3,and 4, T-bar 80 is returned to the position shown in these figures byspring 84. Similarly, when ram 20 raises plane 16 to a point where it nolonger contacts followers 46 and 94, these followers return to theposition shown in FIG. 1 under the action of springs 50 and 96respectively. The return of follower 94 to the position shown in FIG. 1separates gripper heads 88 and 90 releasing the conductor and permittingit to be manually removed from the machine. At the same time, thecrimping machine, by means which do not form part of the presentinvention, moves a new terminal 110 into the crimping position on anvil108. The machine is thus restored to its initial condition inpreparation for the next crimpingstripping cycle on a conductor insertedinto the machine.

From the above it is apparent that a stripping attachment may be easilyadded to existing crimping or other terminal attaching machines bymounting three subassemblies to the machine. While methods have beenshown for mounting the subassemblies for a particular crimping machine,it is apparent that the exact method of mounting the subassemblieswould, to some extent, vary depending on the configuration of theterminal attaching machine itself. Further, while for the preferredembodiment of the invention, ram 20 has moved down, it is apparent thatthe device of this invention could be modified to operate with anyterminal attaching machine utilizing a terminal attaching mechanismwhich is cyclically moved relative to a base into a terminal attachingposition. Thus, for example, the camming inclined planes could besuitably modified to operate with a ram mechanism which comes in from,for example, the bottom, front, back, or side as well as from the top.It is also apparent that the particular mechanisms shown for performingeach of the functions of this in; vention could be replaced withequivalent mechanisms for performing the functions. Thus, while theinvention has been particularly shown and described above with referenceto a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

- l. A device for stripping a selected length of insulation from aninsulated conductor, said device being adapted for use with a machinefor attaching a terminal to a conductor by use of a member moving in adirection perpendicular to the conductor, comprising:

an insulation cutting means having. at least two blades; lst followermeans attached to at least one of said blades and adapted when operatedto urge the blades toward each other; gripper means having at least twonormally spaced surfaces, said gripper means being positioned relativeto said cutting means so as to grip a conductor behind the point atwhich a cut occurs; 2nd follower means attached to at least one of saidsurfaces and adapted, when operated, to urge said surfaces toward eachother; lst cam means attached to move with said member, said 1st cammeans being positioned to operate said 1st and 2nd follower means at apoint in the movement of the member prior to the point at which theconductor is attached to the terminal; and 2nd cam means attached tomove with said member and adapted to move said gripper means away fromsaid cutting means after said cutting and gripping means have beenoperated, said movement of the gripper means causing said selectedlength of insulation to be removed from the conductor and positioningthe stripped length of conductor to be attached to the terminal by saidmember. 2. A device of the type described in claim 1 wherein said secondcam means coacts with said 2nd follower means to move said gripper meansaway from said cutting means.

3. A device for stripping insulation from the end of an insulatedconductor, said device being adapted for use with a machine for securinga terminal to the conductor, the machine having a base on which theterminal is supported and a terminal applying member which movesrelative to said base from a 1st position to a 2nd position and returnsto said lst position during each terminal applying cycle, comprising:

cutting means positioned on one side of said base; gripping meanspositioned on the opposite side of said base;

lst and 2nd camming means attached to move with said terminal applyingmember;

means operative when said member reaches a third position, said thirdposition being between said lst and 2nd position, and responsive to saidlst camming means for actuating said cutting and said gripping means;and

means operative when said member reaches a fourth position, said fourthposition being between said 3rd and 2nd positions, and responsive tosaid 2nd camming means for moving said gripper means away from saidcutting means to strip the severed insulation from the end of theconductor, leaving a bare conductor end, and to position the bare end ofthe conductor to be attached to the terminal by said member.

4. A device of the type described in claim 3 including means forcontrolling said 4th position by varying the position of said 2ndcamming means on said terminal applying member, whereby the amount bywhich the gripping means is moved away from the cutting means iscontrolled to properly position the conductor depending on the length ofinsulation which is to be stripped.

5. A device of the type described in claim 3 including means operativeafter a terminal has been applied to the conductor by the terminalapplying member for releasing the severed insulation and removing itfrom the machine.

6. A device of the type described in claim 3 including a stop againstwhich the end of the conductor is initially positioned; and wherein saidsevered insulation releasing and removing means includes means forpneumatically retracting said stop to release the insulation, and meansfor blowing the released insulation from the ma chine.

7. A device for stripping insulation from the end of an insulatedconductor, said device being adapted for use with a machine for securinga tenninal to the conductor, the machine having a base on which theterminal is supported and a terminal applying member which movesrelative to said base from a first position to a second position andreturns to said first position during each terminal applying cycle,comprising:

a cutting assembly attachable on one side of said base;

a gripping assembly attachable on the opposite side of said base;

a camming assembly attachable to move with said member;

means included as part of said cutting assembly and operative inresponse to said camming assembly when said assemblies are attached tosaid machine for actuating said cutting assembly to cut the insulationon said conductor, said means being operative at a third position in theterminal applying cycle of said machine;

first means included as part of said gripping assembly and operative inresponse to said camming assembly when said assemblies are attached tosaid machine for actuating said gripping assembly to grip saidconductor, said means being operative at said third position in theterminal applying cycle of said machine; and

second means included as part of said gripping assembly and operative inresponse to said camming assembly when said assemblies are attached tosaid machine for moving a conductor held by said gripping assembly awayfrom said cutting assembly and into a position to be attached to aterminal by said terminal applying member, said means being operative ata fourth position in the terminal applying cycle of said machine, saidfourth position occurring later in said cycle then said third positionbut prior to said second position.

8. A device for stripping insulation from the end of an insulatedconductor, said device being adapted for use with a machine for securinga terminal to the conductor, the machine having a base on which theterminal is supported and a terminal applying member which movesrelative to said base from a first position to a second position andreturns to said first position during each terminal applying cycle,comprising:

a camming assembly attachable to move with said member, said cammingassembly including a 1st and a 2nd inclined plane; a cutting assemblyattachable on one side of said base, said cutting assembly having a camfollower and at least one blade, said cam follower coacting with saidfirst inclined plane when said assemblies are attached to said machineand said terminal applying member is in a third position between said1st and 2nd positions to urge the blade into a position to cut theconductor insulation; and gripping assembly attachable on the oppositeside of said base, said gripping assembly having a cam follower and agripping surface attached thereto, said cam follower coacting with said1st inclined plane when said assemblies are attached to said machine andsaid terminal applying means is in said 3rd position to urge thegripping surface into a position to grip said conductor, said inclinedplane coacting with said 2nd inclined plane when said terminal applyingmember is in a 4th position between said 2nd and 3rd positions to movethe gripping surface and the conductor held thereby away from thecutting assembly to remove severed insulation from the conductor and toposition the resulting bare end of the conductor to be attached to aterminal by said terminal applying means.

.9. A device of the type described in claim 8 including means forcontrolling said 4th position by varying the position of said 2ndinclined plane on said terminal applying member, whereby the amount bywhich the gripping surface is moved away from the cutting assembly iscontrolled to properly position the conductor depending on the length ofinsulation which is to be stripped.

10. A device of the type described in claim 8 including means operativeafter a terminal has been applied to the conductor by the terminalapplying member for releasing the severed insulation and removing itfrom the machine.

11. A device of the type described in claim 10 wherein said cuttingassembly includes a stop against which the end of the conductor isinitially positioned;

and wherein said severed insulation releasing and removing meansincludes means for pneumatically retracting said stop to release theinsulation, and means for blowing the released insulation from themachine.

12. A device of the type described in claim 8 wherein said grippingassembly includes a bar pivotably mounted to said base, said camfollower and gripping surface being mounted in said base at a positionaway from the position at which said bar is pivoted, said bar beingrotated about the position at which it is pivoted by the coaction ofsaid cam follower and 2nd inclined plane to move the conductor away fromthe cutting assembly.

I i l i

1. A device for stripping a selected length of insulation from aninsulated conductor, said device being adapted for use with a machinefor attaching a terminal to a conductor by use of a member moving in adirection perpendicular to the conductor, comprising: an insulationcutting means having at least two blades; 1st follower means attached toat least one of said blades and adapted when operated to urge the bladestoward each other; gripper means having at least two normally spacedsurfaces, said gripper means being positioned relative to said cuttingmeans so as to grip a conductor behind the point at which a cut occurs;2nd follower means attached to at least one of said surfaces andadapted, when operated, to urge said surfaces toward each other; 1st cammeans attached to move with said member, said 1st cam means beingpositioned to operate said 1st and 2nd follower means at a point in themovement of the member prior to the point at which the conduCtor isattached to the terminal; and 2nd cam means attached to move with saidmember and adapted to move said gripper means away from said cuttingmeans after said cutting and gripping means have been operated, saidmovement of the gripper means causing said selected length of insulationto be removed from the conductor and positioning the stripped length ofconductor to be attached to the terminal by said member.
 2. A device ofthe type described in claim 1 wherein said second cam means coacts withsaid 2nd follower means to move said gripper means away from saidcutting means.
 3. A device for stripping insulation from the end of aninsulated conductor, said device being adapted for use with a machinefor securing a terminal to the conductor, the machine having a base onwhich the terminal is supported and a terminal applying member whichmoves relative to said base from a 1st position to a 2nd position andreturns to said 1st position during each terminal applying cycle,comprising: cutting means positioned on one side of said base; grippingmeans positioned on the opposite side of said base; 1st and 2nd cammingmeans attached to move with said terminal applying member; meansoperative when said member reaches a third position, said third positionbeing between said 1st and 2nd position, and responsive to said 1stcamming means for actuating said cutting and said gripping means; andmeans operative when said member reaches a fourth position, said fourthposition being between said 3rd and 2nd positions, and responsive tosaid 2nd camming means for moving said gripper means away from saidcutting means to strip the severed insulation from the end of theconductor, leaving a bare conductor end, and to position the bare end ofthe conductor to be attached to the terminal by said member.
 4. A deviceof the type described in claim 3 including means for controlling said4th position by varying the position of said 2nd camming means on saidterminal applying member, whereby the amount by which the gripping meansis moved away from the cutting means is controlled to properly positionthe conductor depending on the length of insulation which is to bestripped.
 5. A device of the type described in claim 3 including meansoperative after a terminal has been applied to the conductor by theterminal applying member for releasing the severed insulation andremoving it from the machine.
 6. A device of the type described in claim3 including a stop against which the end of the conductor is initiallypositioned; and wherein said severed insulation releasing and removingmeans includes means for pneumatically retracting said stop to releasethe insulation, and means for blowing the released insulation from themachine.
 7. A device for stripping insulation from the end of aninsulated conductor, said device being adapted for use with a machinefor securing a terminal to the conductor, the machine having a base onwhich the terminal is supported and a terminal applying member whichmoves relative to said base from a first position to a second positionand returns to said first position during each terminal applying cycle,comprising: a cutting assembly attachable on one side of said base; agripping assembly attachable on the opposite side of said base; acamming assembly attachable to move with said member; means included aspart of said cutting assembly and operative in response to said cammingassembly when said assemblies are attached to said machine for actuatingsaid cutting assembly to cut the insulation on said conductor, saidmeans being operative at a third position in the terminal applying cycleof said machine; first means included as part of said gripping assemblyand operative in response to said camming assembly when said assembliesare attached to said machine for actuating said gripping assembly togrip said conductor, said means bEing operative at said third positionin the terminal applying cycle of said machine; and second meansincluded as part of said gripping assembly and operative in response tosaid camming assembly when said assemblies are attached to said machinefor moving a conductor held by said gripping assembly away from saidcutting assembly and into a position to be attached to a terminal bysaid terminal applying member, said means being operative at a fourthposition in the terminal applying cycle of said machine, said fourthposition occurring later in said cycle then said third position butprior to said second position.
 8. A device for stripping insulation fromthe end of an insulated conductor, said device being adapted for usewith a machine for securing a terminal to the conductor, the machinehaving a base on which the terminal is supported and a terminal applyingmember which moves relative to said base from a first position to asecond position and returns to said first position during each terminalapplying cycle, comprising: a camming assembly attachable to move withsaid member, said camming assembly including a 1st and a 2nd inclinedplane; a cutting assembly attachable on one side of said base, saidcutting assembly having a cam follower and at least one blade, said camfollower coacting with said first inclined plane when said assembliesare attached to said machine and said terminal applying member is in athird position between said 1st and 2nd positions to urge the blade intoa position to cut the conductor insulation; and a gripping assemblyattachable on the opposite side of said base, said gripping assemblyhaving a cam follower and a gripping surface attached thereto, said camfollower coacting with said 1st inclined plane when said assemblies areattached to said machine and said terminal applying means is in said 3rdposition to urge the gripping surface into a position to grip saidconductor, said inclined plane coacting with said 2nd inclined planewhen said terminal applying member is in a 4th position between said 2ndand 3rd positions to move the gripping surface and the conductor heldthereby away from the cutting assembly to remove severed insulation fromthe conductor and to position the resulting bare end of the conductor tobe attached to a terminal by said terminal applying means.
 9. A deviceof the type described in claim 8 including means for controlling said4th position by varying the position of said 2nd inclined plane on saidterminal applying member, whereby the amount by which the grippingsurface is moved away from the cutting assembly is controlled toproperly position the conductor depending on the length of insulationwhich is to be stripped.
 10. A device of the type described in claim 8including means operative after a terminal has been applied to theconductor by the terminal applying member for releasing the severedinsulation and removing it from the machine.
 11. A device of the typedescribed in claim 10 wherein said cutting assembly includes a stopagainst which the end of the conductor is initially positioned; andwherein said severed insulation releasing and removing means includesmeans for pneumatically retracting said stop to release the insulation,and means for blowing the released insulation from the machine.
 12. Adevice of the type described in claim 8 wherein said gripping assemblyincludes a bar pivotably mounted to said base, said cam follower andgripping surface being mounted in said base at a position away from theposition at which said bar is pivoted, said bar being rotated about theposition at which it is pivoted by the coaction of said cam follower and2nd inclined plane to move the conductor away from the cutting assembly.